Collapsible support unit for a garment bag or the like

ABSTRACT

A collapsible support unit for supporting a generally flat object, such as a garment bag, in vertical disposition above the ground. The support unit includes an upright vertical shaft having a connection at its upper end for releasably engaging an upper end of the object to be carried. Two base legs are pivotally connected to the lower end of the shaft and are movably between a retracted position lying against the shaft and an extended position extending generally horizontally, in opposite transverse directions, in which the base legs are adapted to rest on the ground. Two base feet are provided, each being pivotally connected to a free end of an associated one of the base legs. In a folded position each base foot lies against its associated base leg. A mechanism associated with each base foot moves it between its folded position and an unfolded position in which the base foot extends generally horizontally at an outward inclination from its associated base leg, as the base leg moves between its retracted and extended positions, respectively.

United States Patent [191 Cliffton et al.

[111 3,834,548 Sept. 10, 1974 1 COLLAPSIBLE SUPPORT UNIT FOR A GARMENTBAG OR THE LIKE [76] Inventors: Ethan W. Clifiton, 307 W. 106 St.,

New York, NY. 10025; Matthew J. Culligan, Polly Park Rd., Rye, NY. 10580[22] Filed: Oct. 26, 1972 [21] Appl. N0.: 301,086

[52] US. Cl 211/118, 211/178 R, 248/188.8, 248/435 [51] Int. Cl. A47f5/10 [58] Field of Search 211/1 18, 178 R, 178 A, 211/104; 248/435, 177,188.8, 188.9, 188.7

{56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,176,563 3/1916 Johnson211/178 R 1,258,518 3/1918 Ankovitz 248/435 X 1,510,272 9/1924Harmount.. 211/178 R 1,576,629 3/1926 Culp 248/435 X 3,464,664 9/1969Nugent 211/178 R X FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 358,903 9/1921Germany 248/188.8

Primary ExaminerRamon S. Britts Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Kenyon & KenyonReilly Carr & Chapin [57] ABSTRACT A collapsible support unit forsupporting a generally flat object, such as a garment bag, in verticaldisposition above the ground. The support unit includes an uprightvertical shaft having a connection at its upper end for releasablyengaging an upper end of the object to be carried. Two base legs arepivotally connected to the lower end of the shaft and are movablybetween a retracted position lying against the shaft and an extendedposition extending generally horizontally, in opposite transversedirections, in which the base legs are adapted to rest on the ground.Two base feet are provided, each being pivotally connected to a free endof an associated one of the base legs. In a folded position each basefoot lies against its associated base leg. A mechanism associated witheach base foot moves it between its folded position and an unfoldedposition in which the base foot extends generally horizontally at anoutward inclination from its associated base leg, as the base leg movesbetween its retracted and extended positions, respectively.

13 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures PATENTED EP 1 0 4 3. 884. 548

sum 1 or 3 I" v [O 1 PAIENTEDSEPIOIQH 3.834.548

sum 2 OF 3 PATENTEB SEPI 01914 SHEET 3 BF 3 COLLAPSIBLE SUPPORT UNIT FORA GARMENT BAG OR THE LIKE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This inventionrelates to a collapsible support unit for a generally flat object, suchas a garment bag, to support the object in generally verticaldisposition above ground level.

To avoid undue creasing of suits, dresses and other garments duringtravel, which might occur in a suitcase, many travelers prefer to hangsuch clothing on one or more coathangers and enclose them within agarment bag which covers the clothing while leaving the hanger hooksexposed to be grasped by the travelers hand. The weight of the clothingon the hanger can sometimes be quite appreciable and the burden on atraveler standing, for example, in a line to buy tickets or experiencingsome other delay at a transportation terminal can become very wearisome.At such times the traveler may be tempted to drop the garment bag on theground or over chairs or suitcases which can cause inconvenience toother travelers, creasing of the clothing inside, and may involverepeated bending down and picking up the garment bag as the line movesforward.

It would, therefore, be desirable to provide a lightweight collapsiblesupport which could be utilized to relieve the traveler of the burden ofcarrying the weight of the clothing in a garment bag while he isstanding around waiting and to free him from the necessity to frequentlybend up and down to deposit and pick up the garment bag. Such a supportshould support the garment bag so that the clothes inside are hanging inan upright condition so that they do not become wrinkled. When not inuse the collapsible support unit should be foldable to minimumdimensions without requiring complicated maneuvers or dismantling steps.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A collapsible support unit constructed inaccordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention is intended toprovide a solution to the problems referred to above.

In more detail a collapsible support unit according to the invention isintended to support a generally flat object in vertical dispositionabove an underlying horizontal surface such as the ground or floor.Although the invention will be described hereafter with reference to asupport for a garment bag, it will be understood that the structuredescribed may be utilized to support many other types of objectsrequiring a collapsible support such as, for example, a map, a moviescreen, a painting, a target, a rug, or other such object withoutlimitation. The supportunit includes an upright vertical shaft providedwith a connection at its upper end for releasably engaging an upper endof the object to support the latter in generally vertical-dispositionabove the ground. At least two base legs are pivotally connected with alower end of the shaft and are movable between a retracted position inwhich the, base legs lie closely against the shaft and an extendedposition. In the extended position the base legs extend generallyhorizontally in opposite transverse directions from the shaft and areadapted to restv on the ground. At least one base foot is pivotallyconnected to a free end of an associated one of the base legs. In afolded position of the base foot, it lies against the associated baseleg. A mechanism is associated with the base foot for moving it betweenits folded position and an unfolded position in which it extendsgenerally horizontally at an outward inclination from the associatedbase leg, upon movement of the base leg between its retracted andextended positions, respectively.

It will be appreciated that the structure described provides acollapsible support which can be unfolded from a condition in which itoccupies a minimum of space to an operative condition in which it can beutilized to support the garment bag thereby relievingthe traveler of thenecessity of carrying the burden. In addition, the base legs and thebase feet are spring-loaded to return them to the retracted condition sothat the unit is provided with a self-folding capability after its useis no longer desired.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A collapsible support unit constructedin accordance with one preferred embodiment of the invention, isillustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the collapsible support unit shown in anoperative condition supporting a garment bag,

FIG. 2 is a side-view of the collapsible support unit shown in FIG. 1,folded into a collapsed condition,

FIG. 3 is a side-view of the collapsible support unit shown in FIG. 2shown in a partially expanded condition prior to being set down on anunderlying ground surface,

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side view of a portion of the collapsiblesupport unit shown in FIG. 2 taken along the lines 4-4 therein,illustrating a collar and releasable detent forming a part of the unit,

FIG. 5 is a side view of the lower end of the collapsible support unitshown in FIG. 2 after the unit has been set down on the ground surface,

FIG. 6 is a top view of the collapsible support unit shown in FIG. 2,

FIG. 7 is a top view of the collapsible support unit but with two basefeet shown in an unfolded condition after setting down of the unit ontothe ground,

FIG. 8 is a perspective view on an enlarged scale of a mechanism formoving one of the base feet shown in FIG. 7 between folded and unfoldedpositions of the base foot,

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the components constitutingthe mechanism shown in FIG. 8-,

FIG. 10 is a view from beneath looking upward, partially in crosssection, of a spring utilized to urge the base foot from its unfoldedtoits folded position;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional end view of the base foot and spring shownin FIG. 10 taken along the line 11ll therein and I FIG. 12 is aperspective view of a portion. of the upper end of the support unitshowing a connection for engaging a garment bag.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION the invention will be discussed with reference toproviding a support for a garment bag, it may equally be used to supporta map, a blackboard, a target, a movie screen, or any other itemrequiring a convenient collapsible support for carrying the object ingenerally vertical disposition above ground level.

The support unit includes a telescopic vertical shaft 6 provided with aconnector 8 (FIG. 12) at its upper end to which a clothes hanger hook 10projecting from the garment bag 4 may be attached, thereby enabling thesupport unit to carry the garment bag in vertical disposition above theground. The shaft 6 is supported on the ground by two base legs 12which, in their extended position (FIG. 1), extend horizontally inopposite transverse directions from the shaft. Stabilizing the base legs12 so that the unit does not tip over in a forward or backwarddirection, are two base feet 14 extending at an outward inclination fromthe free ends of the base legs 12 in opposite directions.

In the unfolded, or operative, condition of the unit, the base legs 12are held in their horizontal extended position by two links 16 (FIG. 3)pivotally connected at their lower ends to the base legs 12 and at theirupper ends to a collar 20 mounted for sliding motion on the exterior ofthe shaft 6. The collar 20 is held in a lower position of its slidingtravel along the shaft by a spring loaded detent having a tapered noseprojecting into an orifice 24 having an inwardly tapered wall as shownin the surface of the shaft 6. The legs are unfolded by moving one ofthe base legs manually relative to the shaft 6, to the extended positionat which time the detent 22 engages.

To collapse the support unit 2, force is applied to one of the legs 12,for example, by inclining it and pressing it against the ground so thatthe associated link 16 pushes the collar 20 upwardly with sufficientforce to unseat the detent 22. Unseating of the detent 22 is caused by acamming action of the tapered wall of the orifice 24 against the taperednose of the detent 22. A compression spring 26 then expands forcing thecollar 20 upwardly so that the links 16 retract the base legs 12 to aposition lying closely along side the shaft 6 (FIG. 2). During thismotion the base feet 14 fold inwardly against their associated base legs12 (as will be described). Thus, the support unit 2 provides aselffolding structure whichassumes a minimum space configuration whennot in use. Subsequently, the shaft 6 may be telescoped inwardly so thatthe entire support unit 2 assumes the compact, collapsed configurationshown in FIG. 2.

Referring in more detail to FIG. 3, the shaft 6 includes an outer tube.30, on which the collar 20 slides, which receives a plurality oftelescoping sections 32 permitting vertical extension of the shaft. Thevarious telescoping sections 32 and the outer tube 30 are provided withyieldable internal detents (not shown) well known in telescopic tubeconstruction so that the tube remains erect in its extended position anddoes not collapse until a force sufficiently great to cause the detentsto yield is applied to its opposite ends. The detents have sufficientresistance to motion to insure that the tube does not collapse under theweight of the garment bag but remains extended. Alternativeconstructions, such as the use of catches, for holding the tube sectionsin this extended position may be employed. Attached to the bottom end ofthe outer tube 30 is a bracket 34 extending on opposite transverse sidesof the shaft and supporting two horizontal pins 36. The base legs 12,which are of box section configuration, are mounted for verticalpivoting motion on the pins 36. Sufficient clearance is provided betweenthe adjacent ends of the base legs and the shaft and the interiorportions of the bracket 34 to insure unimpeded pivoting motion of thebase legs between the retracted and extended positions. The previouslymentioned compression spring 26 is sleeved about the outer tube 30 withits lower end contacting the interior of the bracket 34 and its upperend abutting the underside of the collar 20. Once the detent 22 hasbecome unseated, the compression spring 26 expands moving the collar toits extreme upper position so that the links 16 pivot the base legs 12upwardly to the retracted position previously described and shown inFIG. 2.

Should the support unit 2 require complete collapsing for the unfoldedcondition, for example, for storage, the telescoping sections 32 arepushed into the outer tube 30. During this time, the lowermosttelescoping section 32 cams the detent 22 outwardly of the orifice 24 inthe outer tube 30 to release the collar 20 (FIG. 4). The spring 26 thenbecomes active to complete the collapse of the base legs 12 and feet 14(FIG. 2).

The previously mentioned base feet 14 are constructed from L-sectionmaterial each having a horizontal upper wall and a vertical wall 42(FIGS. 8 and 9). In its folded position each base foot 14 lies againstits associated base leg 12 with the upper wall 40 overlying the adjacentupper wall of the base leg 12 and with the vertical wall 42 abutting theadjacent vertical wall of the base leg-(FIG. 6). The vertical walls 42of the two base feet 14 face in opposite directions and are on oppositesides of their respective base legs 12 because the base feet rotate openin opposite directions to provide equilibrated support. Each base foot14 is pivotally connected to its associated one of the base legs 12 by avertical connector 48 (FIGS. 9 and 11) passing through aligned holes inthe overlapping upper walls of the base foot and the base leg. Theconnector 48 has a head at its upper side and is provided with a nut atits lower end. A washer 49 is interposed between the adjacent upperwalls of the base foot and the base leg to space them out of contact toreduce friction. Adjacent portions of the end of the base leg whichmight interfere with the pivoting motion of the base foot 14 be tweenits folded and unfolded positions are cut away (FIG. 10). However, ashoulder 50 is provided at the end of the base leg 12 to limit theoutward pivoting motion of the base foot 14 in its extreme unfoldedposition to the desired degree of outward inclination relative to thebase leg. The extreme outward inclination in the preferred embodiment isin the range but different inclination may be chosen.

The base foot 14 is returned from its unfolded position to its foldedposition against the base leg by a spiral spring 54 (FIGS. 10 and 12).The spiral spring 54 is mounted horizontally with one of its endssecured in the vertical wall 42 of the base foot and its other endfixedly mounted in a slot in a nut at the lower end of the connector 48.The spring force is so arranged as to urge the base foot 14 to itsfolded position.

To move the base foot 14 from its folded to its unfolded position duringerection of the support unit, each base foot is provided with a leverand gear mechanism (FIGS. 8 and 9). The mechanism includes an arm 60 ofinverted, generally segmental configuration abutting the base leg 12 onits vertical side wall opposite the side wall facing the vertical wall42 of the associated base foot 14. The lower end, or apex, of the arm 60is mounted for pivoting motion about a horizontal axis which isperpendicular to both the longitudinal axis of the base leg and to theaxis of rotation of the base foot 14 about the connector 48, on aconnector 62 extending through the arm 60 and the adjacent side wall ofthe base leg 12 (FIG. 11). Along its curved, upper peripheral edge thearm 60 is provided with a sector 63 of gear teeth which matingly engagea corresponding sector 64 of gear teeth at an adjacent comer of theupper wall 40 of the base foot 14. The gear teeth extend for sufiicientperipheral distances to insure that over the range of pivoting motion ofthe arm 60 between its extreme positions, the base foot 14 is rotatedbetween its folded and unfolded positions. The spring 54 biasing thebase foot 14 to its folded position causes the arm 60 to normally occupyan extreme initial position in which the gear teeth at the inward endsof the gear teeth sectors 63 and 64 are engaged (FIGS. 2 and 6).

To rotate the arm 60 to unfold the base foot a lever 65 is pivotallymounted on the connector 62 for concentric rotation with the arm. Wheneach base leg is in its retracted condition, its associated lever liesclosely alongside the adjacent base leg 12 (FIG. 2). When the base legs12 are moved to the extended position the arms 65 swing freely towardsthe ground under their own weight (dotted lines in FIG. 3). The lowerend of each lever 65 contacts the ground in advance of the remainder ofthe unit and, as the unit continues to descend, the lever is pivotedoutwardly and upwardly. Such pivoting moves a transverse shoulder 66 onthe lever, created by forming a transverse dimple in its side wall, intocontact with the adjacent vertical edge of the arm 60. Continueddownward motion of the unit then causes the lever 65 to rotate the arm60 in a direction longitudinally inward of the base leg 12 (as shown bythe arrow in FIG. 8) with the result that the arm 60 rotates the basefoot to its unfolded position. Finally, as the base legs 12 settle ontothe ground, the lever 65 is in horizontal alignment with the base leghaving moved the arm 60 through its extreme range of motion to its finalposition and fully extended the base foot.

In a reverse operation, to fold the base feet, all that is necessary isfor the traveler to lift the unit clear off the floor at which time thesprings 54 cause the base feet 14 to automatically fold against the baselegs 12. If the traveler wishes to complete the folding process he thenapplies a sideways and downward force to the support 6 to force one ofthe legs 12 against the ground at an inclination which causes therelease of detent 22. After the detent is released, the spring 26completes the retracting action of the base legs 12. At this time thetraveler may leave the unit still attached to the garment bag with theshaft 6 still in the extended condition. At the conclusion of hisjourney he may remove the garment bag entirely from the support unit andcomplete the folding process by telescoping the sections 32 inward tocollapse the unit.

The previously mentioned connector 8 (FIG. 12) includes two verticallyspaced upper and lower horizontal stubs 70 and 72, respectively. A hook76, of the type used for engaging a support rod or the like, isconnected for pivoting motion to the upper stub arm 70 by a horizontalpin 78, with the lower end of the arm 76 extending below and obscuringthe gap between the stub arms. To attach the hook 10 of the garmenthanger to the support unit, the hook 76' is pivoted aside to expose thegap between the upper and lower stub arms and the hook 10 moved therein.The hook 76 is then swung back. When the unit is fully collapsed asshown in FIG. 2, the hook 76 may be swung through to further reduce thecollapsed height of the overall unit. 0

What is claimed is:

l. A collapsible support unit for supporting an object in verticaldisposition above an underlying horizontal surface, such as the ground,the support unit comprismg,

an upright vertical shaft,

a connection at the upper end of said shaft adapted to releaseablyengage the object to support the object in generally verticaldisposition above the ground,

at least two base legs pivotally connected with a lower end of saidshaft for motion between a retracted position lying against said shaftand an extended position in which said base legs are adapted to rest onthe ground extending perpendicularly to said shaft in oppositetransverse directions therefrom,

at least one base foot, pivotally connected to a free end of anassociated one of said base legs, said base foot in a folded positionthereof lying against the associated said base leg; and

first means associated with said base foot for moving it from its foldedposition to an unfolded position extending horizontally at an outwardinclination from the associated said base leg during movement of saidbase leg onto the ground,

wherein each said base leg extends along a longitudinal first axisthereof, said base foot being hinged to the free end of the associatedsaid base leg for pivotal motion about a second axis perpendicular tosaid first axis, said first means for moving said base foot comprising,an arm connected to the free end of the associated said base leg forpivoting motion about a third axis perpendicular to both said first andsecond axes, first and second engaging gear teeth on said arm and onadjacent portions of said base foot, pivoting motion of said arm betweenextreme positions thereof relative to the associated said base legcausing said base foot to rotate between its folded and unfoldedpositions; and a lever contacting said arm connected with said base legfor pivoting motion about said third axis, said lever having a freeextremity inclined downwardly and outwardly from the associated saidbase leg in the extended position thereof whereby said lever contactsthe ground in advance of the associated said base leg, subsequentdownward motion of the unit causing said lever to pivot into generallyhorizontal alignment with the associated said base leg thereby causingsaid arm to rotate said base footto the unfolded position thereof.

2. A collapsible support unit as defined in claim 1 further including, II

second means connected with said base leg for returning said base footto the'folded position upon lifting of the associated said base leg fromthe ground; and 1 third means connected with said shaft for moving saidbase legs from the extended to the retracted position upon selecteddisplacement of at least one of said base legs from its perpendicularrelation to said shaft by a predetermined amount, whereby the unit isprovided with a self folding capability.

3. A collapsible support unit as defined in claim 1 including two ofsaid base feet wherein each is provided with associated said first andsecond means, each base foot being connected to an associated one ofsaid base legs, said base feet in the unfolded positions thereofextending in opposite directions from said base legs.

4. A collapsible support unit as defined in claim 1 wherein said shaftis formed of vertically telescoping sections to permit the height ofsaid shaft to be reduced when the unit is collapsed.

5. A collapsible support unit as defined in claim 2 wherein said thirdmeans includes,

a collar mounted on said shaft for sliding motion between upper andlower positions,

at least two links pivotally connecting said collar with said base legs,

releasable detent means connected with said collar and said shaft foryieldably resisting motion of said collar from its lower position, saidlinks supporting said base legs in the extended position when saidcollar occupies its lower position; and

spring means connected between said collar and the lower end of saidshaft for urging said collar upwardly to move said base legs to theretracted position thereof upon release of said detent means.

6. A collapsible support unit as defined in claim 1 further including,

spring means connected with said base leg for urging said base foot fromthe unfolded to the folded position thereof.

7. A collapsible support unit as defined in claim 1 wherein said leverincludes,

a lost motion connection between said lever and the associated said armto enable said lever to pivot downwardly to a position lying closelyalongside the associated said base leg when said base leg is moved tothe retracted position thereof.

8. A collapsible support unit as defined in claim 3 wherein said baselegs in the retracted position thereof extend upwardly and closely alongsaid shaft on opposite sides thereof with said base feet extendingdownwardly from the upper end of said base legs lying closelythereagainst.

9. A collapsible support unit as defined in claim 1 wherein saidconnection includes means for receiving a coathanger, said support shaftfurther being provided with a hook at its upper end to enable saidcollapsible support unit and the object carried thereby to be suspendedfrom a support such as a rail or hook.

10. A collapsible support unit for supporting a garment bag providedwith a carrying member at its upper end in generally vertical relationabove the ground, the support unit comprising,

an upright vertical shaft,

a connection at the upper end of said shaft for releasably engaging thecarrying member at the upper end of the garment bag,

at least two base legs pivotally connected with a lower end of saidshaft for motion between a retracted position lying against said shaftand an extended position in which said base legs are-adapted to rest onthe ground extending generally horizontally in opposite transversedirections from said shaft,

at least two base feet, each said base foot being pivotally connected toa free end of an associated one of each of said base legs, each saidbase foot lying in a folded position against the associated said baseleg in the retracted position thereof; and

means associated with each said base foot for moving each said base footfrom its folded position to an unfolded position extending horizontallyat an outward inclination from the associated said base leg duringmovement of the associated said base leg onto the ground.

11. A collapsible support unit for supporting an object in verticaldisposition above an underlying horizontal surface comprising an uprightvertical shaft,

a connector at the upper end of said shaft for engaging an object to besupported,

at least two base legs pivotally connected with a lower end of saidshaft for motion between a retracted position lying against said shaftand an extended position in which said base legs are adapted to rest onthe ground and to extend perpendicularly to said shaft in oppositetransverse directions therefrom,

at least one base foot pivotally connected to a free end of anassociated one of said base legs, said base foot in a folded positionthereof lying against the associated said base leg; and

first means associated with each said base foot for moving said basefoot from said folded position to an unfolded position extendinghorizontally at an outward inclination from the associated said base legduring movement of said base leg onto the ground.

12. A collapsible support unit for supporting a garment bag in verticalrelation comprising an upright vertical shaft,

a connector at the upper end of said shaft for releasably engaging agarment bag,

a pair of base legs pivotally connected with a lower end of said shaftfor motion between a retracted position lying against said shaft and anextended position in which said base legs extend horizontally inopposite transverse directions from said shaft,

at least two base feet, each said base foot being pivotally connected toa free end of an associated one of each of said base legs, each saidbase foot lying in a folded position against the associated said baseleg in the retracted position thereof; and

means associated with each said base foot for moving each said base footfrom said folded position thereof to an unfolded position extendinghorizontally at an outward inclination from the associated said base legduring movement of the associated said base leg into said horizontalextended position thereof.

13. A collapsible support unit as set forth in claim 12 furthercomprising second means connected with each said base leg for returningsaid respective base foot to the folded position upon lifting of theassociated said base leg from said extended position.

1. A collapsible support unit for supporting an object in verticaldisposition above an underlying horizontal surface, such as the ground,the support unit comprising, an upright vertical shaft, a connection atthe upper end of said shaft adapted to releaseably engage the object tosupport the object in generally vertical disposition above the ground,at least two base legs pivotally connected with a lower end of saidshaft for motion between a retracted position lying against said shaftand an extended position in which said base legs are adapted to rest onthe ground extending perpendicularly to said shaft in oppositetransverse directions therefrom, at least one bAse foot, pivotallyconnected to a free end of an associated one of said base legs, saidbase foot in a folded position thereof lying against the associated saidbase leg; and first means associated with said base foot for moving itfrom its folded position to an unfolded position extending horizontallyat an outward inclination from the associated said base leg duringmovement of said base leg onto the ground, wherein each said base legextends along a longitudinal first axis thereof, said base foot beinghinged to the free end of the associated said base leg for pivotalmotion about a second axis perpendicular to said first axis, said firstmeans for moving said base foot comprising, an arm connected to the freeend of the associated said base leg for pivoting motion about a thirdaxis perpendicular to both said first and second axes, first and secondengaging gear teeth on said arm and on adjacent portions of said basefoot, pivoting motion of said arm between extreme positions thereofrelative to the associated said base leg causing said base foot torotate between its folded and unfolded positions; and a lever contactingsaid arm connected with said base leg for pivoting motion about saidthird axis, said lever having a free extremity inclined downwardly andoutwardly from the associated said base leg in the extended positionthereof whereby said lever contacts the ground in advance of theassociated said base leg, subsequent downward motion of the unit causingsaid lever to pivot into generally horizontal alignment with theassociated said base leg thereby causing said arm to rotate said basefoot to the unfolded position thereof.
 2. A collapsible support unit asdefined in claim 1 further including, second means connected with saidbase leg for returning said base foot to the folded position uponlifting of the associated said base leg from the ground; and third meansconnected with said shaft for moving said base legs from the extended tothe retracted position upon selected displacement of at least one ofsaid base legs from its perpendicular relation to said shaft by apredetermined amount, whereby the unit is provided with a self foldingcapability.
 3. A collapsible support unit as defined in claim 1including two of said base feet wherein each is provided with associatedsaid first and second means, each base foot being connected to anassociated one of said base legs, said base feet in the unfoldedpositions thereof extending in opposite directions from said base legs.4. A collapsible support unit as defined in claim 1 wherein said shaftis formed of vertically telescoping sections to permit the height ofsaid shaft to be reduced when the unit is collapsed.
 5. A collapsiblesupport unit as defined in claim 2 wherein said third means includes, acollar mounted on said shaft for sliding motion between upper and lowerpositions, at least two links pivotally connecting said collar with saidbase legs, releasable detent means connected with said collar and saidshaft for yieldably resisting motion of said collar from its lowerposition, said links supporting said base legs in the extended positionwhen said collar occupies its lower position; and spring means connectedbetween said collar and the lower end of said shaft for urging saidcollar upwardly to move said base legs to the retracted position thereofupon release of said detent means.
 6. A collapsible support unit asdefined in claim 1 further including, spring means connected with saidbase leg for urging said base foot from the unfolded to the foldedposition thereof.
 7. A collapsible support unit as defined in claim 1wherein said lever includes, a lost motion connection between said leverand the associated said arm to enable said lever to pivot downwardly toa position lying closely alongside the associated said base leg whensaid base leg is moved to the retracted position thereof.
 8. Acollapsible support unit as defined in claim 3 Wherein said base legs inthe retracted position thereof extend upwardly and closely along saidshaft on opposite sides thereof with said base feet extending downwardlyfrom the upper end of said base legs lying closely thereagainst.
 9. Acollapsible support unit as defined in claim 1 wherein said connectionincludes means for receiving a coathanger, said support shaft furtherbeing provided with a hook at its upper end to enable said collapsiblesupport unit and the object carried thereby to be suspended from asupport such as a rail or hook.
 10. A collapsible support unit forsupporting a garment bag provided with a carrying member at its upperend in generally vertical relation above the ground, the support unitcomprising, an upright vertical shaft, a connection at the upper end ofsaid shaft for releasably engaging the carrying member at the upper endof the garment bag, at least two base legs pivotally connected with alower end of said shaft for motion between a retracted position lyingagainst said shaft and an extended position in which said base legs areadapted to rest on the ground extending generally horizontally inopposite transverse directions from said shaft, at least two base feet,each said base foot being pivotally connected to a free end of anassociated one of each of said base legs, each said base foot lying in afolded position against the associated said base leg in the retractedposition thereof; and means associated with each said base foot formoving each said base foot from its folded position to an unfoldedposition extending horizontally at an outward inclination from theassociated said base leg during movement of the associated said base legonto the ground.
 11. A collapsible support unit for supporting an objectin vertical disposition above an underlying horizontal surfacecomprising an upright vertical shaft, a connector at the upper end ofsaid shaft for engaging an object to be supported, at least two baselegs pivotally connected with a lower end of said shaft for motionbetween a retracted position lying against said shaft and an extendedposition in which said base legs are adapted to rest on the ground andto extend perpendicularly to said shaft in opposite transversedirections therefrom, at least one base foot pivotally connected to afree end of an associated one of said base legs, said base foot in afolded position thereof lying against the associated said base leg; andfirst means associated with each said base foot for moving said basefoot from said folded position to an unfolded position extendinghorizontally at an outward inclination from the associated said base legduring movement of said base leg onto the ground.
 12. A collapsiblesupport unit for supporting a garment bag in vertical relationcomprising an upright vertical shaft, a connector at the upper end ofsaid shaft for releasably engaging a garment bag, a pair of base legspivotally connected with a lower end of said shaft for motion between aretracted position lying against said shaft and an extended position inwhich said base legs extend horizontally in opposite transversedirections from said shaft, at least two base feet, each said base footbeing pivotally connected to a free end of an associated one of each ofsaid base legs, each said base foot lying in a folded position againstthe associated said base leg in the retracted position thereof; andmeans associated with each said base foot for moving each said base footfrom said folded position thereof to an unfolded position extendinghorizontally at an outward inclination from the associated said base legduring movement of the associated said base leg into said horizontalextended position thereof.
 13. A collapsible support unit as set forthin claim 12 further comprising second means connected with each saidbase leg for returning said respective base foot to the folded positionupon lifting of the associatEd said base leg from said extendedposition.